Humidor



Feb. 3, 1931. E A. PORTER 1,791,376

HUMIDOR Filed May 12. 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 E] E1 El El 4.9 il

5 Edward A'fbrt'e?) @Montag E. A. PORTER Feb' s, 1931.

HUMIDOR Filed May l2 1928 2 SheetSiShee' 2 eZ-'dwardA-Pr Patented Feb. 3, 1931 iran sra'r PATENT OFFECE HUMIDOR Application filed May 12,

The invention relates tov devices for humidifying air, and especially one automatically controlled by the degree of humidity in the circumambient air and applicable to use in show-cases, although various features thereof are applicable in numerous other situations, as will be readily understood from the disclosure herein.

It is a particular object of the invention to present an appliance of this character which will be operative to rapidly raise the humidity of air in the show-case, while yet being quite compact and not occupying a great amount of room. It is adapted to be suspended in the show-case in the same manner as, and to replace, other devices now in use which require numerous units throughout the length of the show-case, occupying valuable space and obstructing theview of customers inspectingr the goods. It is a particular aim of the invention to provide a device of this character which may be mounted either within or beneath the floor of the case and maintained in operation over long periods of time with a minimum of service attention. It also enables the removal of operative parts in the case in a very simple manner.

A further important aim of the invention is to attain a high rate of water vaporization by novel structure and correlation of parts. A further important aim is to present a novel assembly of parts which, in addition to enabling the easy removal and replacement of the operative units in the device, will also lower manufacturing costs and attain great compactness in the units necessary for a device of this character. Incident to this, in order to afford the rapid supply of water to vaporizing surfaces within a small area, a mechanical device is employed for moving the surfaces upon which water is exposed, and it is an important aim to enable the ready removal of the reservoir carrying this movable apparatus without requiring dismounting or removal of operative connections.

An especially important purpose of the invention is to enable the adaptatio-n of a single mechanical structure to use either as an installable unit adapted to be suspended in ordinary showcases, or as built/'in unit be- 1928. Serial No. 277,313.

neath the show-case and invisible ordinarily. Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in theI construction, arrange-ment and combination of parts involved in the embodiment of the invention, and method as used, as will be more readily understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in Which, y y

Figure l is a Vertical longitudinal sectional view of' one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view thereof with the top of the case broken away at each end, and the intermediate horizontal partition removed also at each end.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section showing the mounting of the water level pointer.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the device showing the filling conduit and water Level indicator mounting.

Figure 5 is an end elevation.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view showing the transverse partition.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view in the same plane and direction, with the transverse partition removed.

Figure 8 is an end elevation showing a modified form of casing.

Figure 9 is a perspective view ofa show case showing the manner of installation of the last-named modification of the case and coordinated show-case structure.

Figure l0 is a top view of the structure of Figure 9.

Figure ll is a detail of the humidistat hydrostat by which operation of the humidor is controlled. Y

Figure 1Q is a fragmentary cross section of the humidistat.

Figure 18 is a detail of the corner post of the show case.

Figure 14 is a cross section thereof.

Figure l5 is a. detail of one end of th-e humidistat.

Figure 16 is a perspective showing a show case within a humidistat and a humidifier therein, electrically connected.

There is illustrated. humidifier wmprisf ing an elongated sheet metal case 10, ot rectangular form7 throughout the major portion of which a horizontal partition i1 is eX- tended, joined to the sides and terminating at the removable front end cover 12 et the case. At its inner end the horizontal partition 11 is inclined upwardly as at 13, to provide ready access of air passing under this partition to the circular tan-intake opening 1l 'formed in a transverse partition 15 located immediately at the inner extremity of the partition 11, and closing;` the case snugly except for small openings 1G (see Fig. G) at one upper and one lower corner to permit an insulated electric conductor cable and a flexible shaft to be led snug y therethrough, as will be described, and a Llian outletopening 17 in an upper corner. rllhe space beneath the partition 11 maj,7 be made watertight to serve as a reservoir, but prefeiablji,7 a reservoir pan 1S is slidable in the space beneath the partition 11 from the end at which the closure 12 is located.

The reservoir 18 well as the case and partition parts may be formed ot sheet steel, or other metal. The reservoir is formed with sides which approach as closely may be to the under side of the horizontal partition 11 and at the ends is lower than at the sides, to permit free passage of air oeneath the partition 11. The .liront end cover 12 is provided with a numberot foraminations19communicating with the case below the partition 11 and preferably the cross sectional area of these in the aggregate is small-er than the clear way through the opening 17 ot the t `ansverse partition before mentioned, as well as being adapted to substantially restrict movement of air by the Jan wherebj,7 a vacuous condition may be produced over the reservoir, as will be explained. Adjacent the forward end of the r Aervoir 1.8 a plain horizontal roller 20 is mounted transversely therein, while acent the rear end a c\ spending roller 21 is mounted having an e tended flange 22 at one side formed w spur-teeth E28 at the periphery, and so mounted as to project above the side of the reserv slightly. An endless water-spreading belt 24 is mounted upon these rollers to travel. thereon, and it desired, any approved means. for maintaining the, tension of the belt ma be employed. The gear portion E28 is closely adjacent the side ot the reservoir, adapted to mesh with a gear 25 mounted on a vertical anis upon the side of the case 10. which may be pressed out to receive part of the gear, as shown in Figure 2. The 25 is located immediately over the side oil the reservoir, projecting inwardly thereover to mesh with the gear of the roller 21, an d it will be seen that under sliding movement of the reservoir it is removed or replaced, the gear 23 may move into mesh with the gear 25 without requiringr special manipulations under the simple movement of the reservoir to and from its proper position in the case 10.

A lever rod 26 is piv'oted intermediately ot its length upon the side ot the. reservoir opposite the gear -#3, extending for the most part in close parallel relation to this the reservoir, and having aitixcd to its front end a ransvorse float 27 by which the rod will be operated as a lever under rise and lall of the water level in the reservoir. `he rod projects rearwardly ot its point oi' pivotal support a distance, and when the reservoir is empty the rear end portion extends upwardlj7 at 'an incline slightly above the top of the reservoir, and is also offset inwardly from the side of the reservoir to extend over the belt 24 a distance. On the adjacent side of the case 10 a shaft Q8 is mounted revolubly, extending through the side of the case and carrying on its outer end a pointer 29.

The inner part of the shaft 28 is cranked as 'at 80, the crank being located forwardly ot the axis oi the shaft, and the pointer bcine; projected rearwardly so that its wei will hold the crank in elevated position er.. cept when the crank is pressed upon by the rear end of the rod 2G. The downward movement of the pointer may be limited in any suitable manner. and on the side ot the an index mark 31 is formed which will be -alined with the pointer when it has been operated through the agency oi' the rod 2G and float Q7 by the rise of water to a predetermined desired normal wat-er level. lt will be seen that the reservoir may be withdrawn at any time without interference between the rod Q6 and the crank 30, and it returned in empty condition (which is the proper method) the parts will automatically Yass ne proper operative relation, the rear end ot the rod passing over the crank and coming into engagement therewith when the reservoir is at the inner limit of its movement. Thus no special manipulations are required for removal and replacement of the reservoir and the operative devices thereon.

it the side of the case 10 beside the motor tan chamber a short pipe is secured to the side ot the case. having one end turned inwardly and extended through the side ot the case over the reservoir 18 immediately under the upwardly incined portion 13 of the partition 11, as may he seen in Figures iand 6. The pipe is extended longitudinally toward the rear end ot the case 10 and inclined upwardly, and provided with a hinged cover 71, the end of the pipe being exposed as may be desired conveniently for permittin water to be poured therein from the rear oi the show-case without ditculty, to replenish the supply ot water in the reservoir. The inner end of this pipe clears the reservoir and other parts so that it does not interv Str lou

lia

lfere with .removal and replacement of `the reservoir, as may be understood.

1t will be noted vthat the cover 12 is not perforated in its upper part above the partition 11, but. each side of the case 10 is formed with a longitudinal series of vent apertures 31. TWithin the space rearwardly of the transverse partition 15, there is mounted an electric motor 32, having its shaft arranged longitudinally of the case 10. At the forward end the shaft projects sufficiently to receive the Vimpeller or fan proper 33 of a rotary fan, which is provided with a cylindrical circuinscribing stationary casing 311 fitting aga-inst the top and sides of the case 10 and having a perimetral opening 48 adjacent the opening 17 of the partition 15. A plate 35 forms the rear side of the casing 34, the forward side of this casing being entirely open. The plate 05 is extended at the top to provide corner portions 36 to fit snugly the top and side of case 10 as a ineans of centen the fan casing. rlhis vcorner extension may be found essential only at one corner. rihe casing of the fan is attached to the casing of the motor 32 by means of brackets 87. Suitable supports are provided at 38 for centering the motor centrally in the case 10, and securing it in place when thrust inwardly until the fan casing abuts the transverse partition 15. rlhe rear end of the motor shaft is provided with a worm 39, and mounted suitably upon the case of the motor or otherwise, for ready removal, there is a worm gear 110 having connected thereto a flexible shaft 11 suitably enclosed and extended downwardly and forwardly in the case 10 through the partition 15, thence upwardly, where it is connected to the spur gear 25 before described. rl`he leads to the motor are shown entering at 45, and the leading-in cables at 16, which may be connected to any electrical outlet of standard service type by means of the usual plug. included in a circuit of the noter, however, there is a small heater unit 47 of any usual construction. Thatis to say, the heater is connected `in series with the motor, being included in one side of the circuit to the motor, as will be readilyV understood. Also included in the circuit to the motor there is shown in Figure 9 an automatic regulator 50, responsive to the humidity of the air in the show-case in such manner that when the humidity is above a ecsired degree, the circuit to the motor will be automatically cut out, and when it falls below a predetermined desired minimum7 the circuit will be closed by the device and the humidifier oper- Vated to rectify the condition.

[is the casing fits snugly against the top and two sides of the casing 10 and the partition 15, it prevents the escape of air except the outlet opening 48 in the fan casing and opening 1? in partition 15. Thereby, under operation of the fan, air forced outwardly by the impeller will pass through the opening L18 Vand into the space in advance of the extension 36 of the rear plate of the fan casing, and thence forwardly through the opening 17 in the transverse partition, to the distributing chamber or space 19 from whence the air will be permitted to escape equally through the apertures 31 before mentioned at each side of the case 10. Air can only enter the fan casing from the space over the reservoir.

1n Figures 8 to 10 inclusive the same construction in the humidifier device is involved, but the case 10 is modified from the construction previously described so that instead of a series of small openings in the cover 12, a single opening 52- is formed in the hea-d 12 corresponding to the cover 12, and on each side of the case 10 in place of the multiplicity ofsmall apertures 31, two large cir cular openings with circumscribing flanges are formed at 53. This device is incorporated beneath the show-case, as shown in Figures 9 and 10 with its rear end exposed flush with the baseboard at the rear of the show-case. From the inlet opening 52 conduit 54 is extended to a circular screened opening 55 formed in the floor of the showcase, while from each of the lateral outlets 53 conduits 56 are led, each to a respective corner post 57 in the rear corners of the case. llach of these corner posts is tubular, having two planiform sides at right angles to each other and a connecting curved side, so that the complete device corresponds to the usual g quarter-round, used in the corners of showcases. In the curved facel of each post a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced apertures 58 are formed, in the shape of key-slots, so that stan-dard fixtures for mounting the shelves may be used therein in the same manner as they are now used in corner pieces of angle iron having such slots therein. Thereby the corner posts serve the double function of a ventilating conduit and distributor manifold, and also a. shelf support, the same apertures which vent the humidiiied air to the case serving as the rests in which the shelf fixtures may be engaged in a familiar way.

ln Figures 11 and 12 there is illustrated in detail the automatic control device by which the humidity of the case is maintained at any desired Vdegree suitable to the character of the goods displayed. In this instance, it comprises a central bar 60 which may be formed of channel iron 'or otherwise as desired, and is provided at each end with a T-head 61 by which flanges are formed at the upper and lower sides of the bar, as shown in Figure 11.

Sprung into bowed form and having its ends set against respective flanges at each end of the bar there is an element 63 of hygroscopic wood, outwardly of which there is laid a thin band of metal 64, not cemented to the wood but ylongitudinally slotted closelyfadjacent llt) its extremities. Commonly engaged through the two bows at each end, there is a bolt by which the ends of the bows are prevented from accidentally becoming displaced laterally or otherwise from the bar 60, the slots in the metal band permitting the metal to bow upwardly and draw inwardly at each end when the wood expands suiiiciently to increase the curvature of the bow and separate the middle portions from the bar. The band 64; does not necessarily touch the bar, as will be understood. Engaged adj ustably through the central portion of each bow, there is a contact screw 66 projecting inwardly so that the opposed screws may contact when the bows are the least affected by humidity, and engaged through the bar 50 there is a sleeve 67 of non-conducting material, serving as a. guide for the inner ends of the screws. Respective wires 68 forming one side of the circuit to the motor 32 are connected to the screws. The structure o1c Figure 11 may be enclosed in any suitable case, as shown in Figure 9 adapted for location as desired in a show-case, or elsewhere, in the present instance the closure case for the humidistat having suction pads 69.

In the operation of this device, when the humidity of the case decreases suiiciently to cause the humidistat to operate and close the circuit to the motor, operation of the fan and the heater unit will occur, the tan drawing air longitudinally through the reservoir chamber at the same time that the belt 24 is operated to expose freshly wetted surfaces to the air current. By making the connections so as to move the upper reach of the belt rearwardly, retention of the reservoir and operative parts thereon in operative position is assured. By reason of the limiting action of the intake through the cover 12, a vacuous condition will be produced enhancing the vaporizing efficiency of the device very materially. The partition 11 is located at the lowest practicable elevation with respect to the reservoir and entrance belt 24, so that the air passing through the reservoir chamber will be held 4in a path closely adjacent the belt, further enhancing the vaporization of the water by the air moving therein. The air expelled from the fan casing passes to the distributor chamber and escapes through the apertures 31. In the form shown in Figures S to 10 the screen over the opening 55 serves as a retarding means, and the discharged air passes through the tubes 56, by which it is led to the distributor corner posts, as before explained.

The cable 69 by which the heater unit is connected in series with the motor is extended through the aperture 16 before mentioned, in the upper corner of the transverse partition 15, and laid loosely in the distributing chamber with sufficient slack to permit withdrawal of the motor readily when necessary.

The wire is led to a notch in the eXtreme front end of the partition 11, and extends inwardly a distance to the heater unit 47, so that when the reservoir 18 is to be removed,

may be drawn out a distance without being obstructed by the wire or the heater unit, until the heater unit is well beyond the end of the case, when the heater unit may be lifted out of the reservoir and laid upon the partition 11 until it is necessary to return it to the reservoir.

In removing the fan, it is only necessary ordinarily to use one bolt to secure the fan in place, removal of which permits withdrawal of the motor and fan casing as a unit, aft-er disconnecting the iieizible shaft 41. It may be seen that mere introduction of the motor and fan casing and securing the motor in place will insure the completion of the air duct necessary ior the intake of air from the reservoir chamber and discharge from the distributing chamber without use of any couplings or special fastenings or joints. The device is adapted to be made in a size but little larger than that shown in the drawings, and has been made and found to operate etiiciently in a size twice that of the showing in the drawings.

It will be understood that there are modiications of structure within the scope of the claims which may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that features of one form ot the device may be combined with those of another in accordance with disclosures herein to obtain the fullest advantages of the invention.

I Claim:

1. A humidifier comprising a casing having a reservoir chamber and a distributing chamber, a water spreading element mounted for movement in the reservoir chamber, an air impeller having an intake communicating with the reservoir chamber and an outlet to the distributing chamber, said reservoir chamber having an inlet substantially restricted with respect to the capacity of the air impeller, said distributing chamber having vent means of capacity substantially greater' than that of the inlet aforesaid.

2. A humidifier comprising a case having a water vaporizing chamber and an air distributing chamber, a reservoir slidable into the irst chamber for removal and replacement, a. water spreader operative therein, and means to operate the spreader including a driving gear mounted on the case, and a driven gear revolubly mounted on the reservoir movable with the reservoir to and from the driving gear, the engaged position of the gears coinciding with the operative position of the reservoir.

3. A humidifier comprising an elongated case having a medial longitudinal partition therein stopping intermediately of the length of the case, an air inlet being provided at the lower side and an air oulet at the upper side of said partition, a reservoir in the chamber at the lower side of the partition, the inner part of the partition being terminally inclined upward al distance, a transverse partition having a central opening immediately adjacent the extremity of said terminal inclined partand having a port therethrough communicating with the upper space beside the first named partition, a 'fan device including a circumscribing case closed at the outer side and open at the inner side next the longitudinal partition, and movable slidably into the first named case to abut the transverse partition opposite the first named partition, the

fan case having a discharge in communication with the space over the longitudinal partition.

4. A humidifier comprising a case having a reservoir chamber and a slidable reservoir movable into the chamber, a water distributor movably mounted in the reservoir, operative means for the distributor including a gear revolubly mounted on the reservoir and exposed above the top of the reservoir, a gear revolubly mounted on the case and having a portion interposed in the path of movement of said exposed portion of the first named gear incident to sliding movement of the reservoir, and operative means for the second named gear.

5. A humidiiier comprising an elongated case adapted to be secured in a show case with a rear end toward the access opening of the show case, a motor and air impeller device mounted removably in the said rear end, upper distributor and lower reservoir chambers formed in the front portion of the humidifier case, a reservoir longitudinally slidable in the reservoir chamber for removal and replacement at the front end of the humidifier case, a refill conduit having a discharge end opening into the upper side of the reservoir space, and having an outer end exposed at the rear end of the humidiier case, and means exteriorly of the humidifier case to indicate the water level in the reservoir.

6. ln a humidifier, a case having a va orizing chamber and a distributing cham er, a reservoir slidable in and out of the vaporzing chamber, an impeller drawing from the vaporizing chamber and discharging into the distributing chamber, an electric motor for the impeller, and an electric heater separably mounted in the reservoir for removal therewith and in series circuit with the motor.

7. A humidifier comprising a casing having evaporating means, a fan and motor therein for drawing air to the evaporating means and forcing it to an outlet, and lateral conduits leading from said outlet and having vertical apertured extensions forming their discharge outlets.

8. A humidifier comprising a casing having evaporating means, a fan and motor therein for drawing air to the evaporating means and forcing it to an outlet, lateral conduits leading from said outlet and having vertical apertured extensions forming their discharge outlets, and a humidistat` having' contacts actuated thereby and in electric connection with said electric motor.

ln testimony whereof l afiix my signature.

EDWARD A. PORTER'. 

